Day 3 of 5 Days of Giveaways

Follow the directions on the picture and you are entered. Get your entries in by 10am tomorrow for a chance to win a $20 coupon for my shop!

www.deonanddion.com

Day 2 of 5 Days of Giveaways!

Just follow the directions in the image.

Don't forget to checkout our website www.deonanddion.com. We added our first dress to the shop!

Christmas In July Giveaway Day 1

5 Days of Giveaways!

This ia Day 1.

Entry is simple. Go to our new website www.deonanddion.com. Click on "Contact Us" and sign up for our VIP Mailing List. And you are entered!

Each email address entered by 10am tomorrow is an entry. Wimmer will be picked at random and annoumced before tomorrow's giveaway.

The VIP Mailing List lets you know of events that Deon amd Dion are involved in (fashion shows, showings, features, etc.) and it also give you access to sales that won't be advertised to the world! Sign up today!

Christmas in July Giveaway!!!!!

It's good to be back to blogging. Trying to balance with work, school, the business is a struggle but I'm working on it! So first things first, I hope you all have been well for the past few months. There will be some changes coming to the blog but I'm not sure what yet. Lol.

Second, there is a new website for my shop: www.deonanddion.com. Please go check it out.

Third, I will be expanding the shop into to include women's clothing later this year. I will debut the line in a couple of fashion shows this fall. I'm so excited! The line will include bridal, formal, and couture wear, along with some sexy pieces to party in.

Last but not least, there will ve a giveaway very, very soon. I will announce the details in a later post.

I have been busy busy busy busy but all is well. As I said before, I hope you all have been great. This is it for now.

Later loves!

Sexy Friday featuring Steve Burton

He is one, if not the, sexiest man in daytime television. I was so heart broken when he left his role as Jason Morgan on my favorite soap opera, General Hospital. He is now on Young and the Restless. Don't know if I will get into that one. In case you do not watch soaps, you are in for some serious eye candy. Ladies, the one and only Steve Burton.















That is all for now!!! Until next time ladies!!! Please share any Sexy Friday suggestions!!!

Sexy Friday featuring Michael Jai White

I typically am not crazy about a whole lot of muscles but this has to be my one exception. Actor Michael Jai White's body is amazing and he has a nice face with lovely brown eyes too! He has a really nice tush!!!!















Until next time love!!!! If you have any Sexy Friday suggestions, please let me know.

Anniversary & Valentine's Day Sale!!!

I am gearing up to celebrate the one year anniversary of my Etsy shop, Deon and Dion Fashions! I am so proud of myself and how the shop has grown and I still have a ways to go to get it where I want it to be. So to celebrate, I am having a combined anniversary and Valentine's Day sale. 40% off the entire shop, including the clearance section. No coupon code needed!!! The sale runs from today until Valentines day! Links to the shop are above and to the right.

Weight Loss Journey - Month 1

I did not loose as much as I wanted to for this past month. I lost a total of 1.2 lbs, putting me at 266. My goal is 5 lbs per month. But I also know that I didn't start working out on a regular basis until last Monday. So it is my own fault. I did pretty good with my diet and I am getting into this Insanity workout. I have some more tweaks to make to my diet, like actually eating more fruits and veggies instead of just juicing them. I learned that making two gallons of juice at a time does not work for me because I barely even touched the second gallon of juice.

I did adopt some tricks in curbing my chocolate/sweet tooth cravings! Nutella is awesome. Just a little bit on a slice of whole wheat bread satisfied both my chocolate and carb cravings. Chocolate Almond Milk is great too (I just switched to soy and almond milk yesterday). Fiber One has a new chocolate cereal that satisfied both the chocolate and carb cravings and Special K's Chocolate Delight cereals is great for that too. Oh, and my new favorite yogurt, Yoplait Lite White Chocolate Strawberry Yogurt. A cup of that and a bubble bath and it could be a war zone outside of my house but in that moment, EVERYTHING is at peace for me!!! That stuff is like heaven!!

So for this month, I am kicking up the workouts and being more conscious of the sneaky calories (juices) that I consume. The good thing is that I did loose some last month instead of gaining or staying the same.

That is all for now.

Until next time loves!!!!

Sexy Friday featuring Colin O'Donoghue

Who doesn't love a bad boy occasionally? Especially when that bad boys makes a very handsome pirate with a lovely accent. Who am I talking about, the best Captain Hook ever of course, Colin O'Donoghue. Finding a shirtless photo of him proved to be challenging but he is still nice to look at with his shirt on!









Hope you enjoyed!!! If you have any Sexy Friday suggestions, just let me know!!!

Until next time loves!!!

February Workout Challenge: Globe Jumps

Globe jumps work your entire body. It is probably one of the most tiring, yet most effective and most definitely my favorite move from the Insanity thus far. Day 1 do as many as you can as fast as you can before you just want to give up completely. Add one globe jump on each day. Four jumps all the way around counts as 1 globe jump, so no cheating!!!! 

Below is a video to show you how it is done. He does a total of two globe jumps in this video. Remember to keep you knees behind your toes!!!

Try it out and let me know how it goes!!!!!

Until next time loves!

Love, Fashion, and Wellness!!!

Insanity and Buddies!!!

So I started doing the Insanity Workout Program with a co-worker this past Monday. We come into work each morning and talk about how well (or not so well) we did with the workout the night before and how we are feeling now. My co-worker, Todd, has become my fitness buddy. I will get into more details about that later.

But back to the Insanity Workout. One, it is called Insanity for a reason!!! The warm ups alone had me sweating and I really have to push myself to get through it. Tonight's workout (Day 3) was the Cardio Power and Resistance. I actually got through this one a lot better than I did the Day 2 workout. My favorite move on there are called Globe Jumps. I am thinking of making that February's Workout Challenge. We will see! But the workout is very intense and I burned about 600 calories in the first thirty minutes of Day 2 workout (I didn't make it through the last 10 minutes)!!! As I am sitting on my coach typing this, my thighs are sparking like crazy. I am going to do some squats in the morning.

Now to my workout buddy. We bounce ideas off of each other about healthy recipes and just making some good and solid lifestyle changes. We also make fun of some of the people on the workout DVDs. Todd, even stopped me from taring into a bag of chocolates yesterday (and I was irritated and it was that time). I didn't like him in that moment but I do surely appreciate it!!!

It is nice having someone go through the journey with you. If you do not have a workout or fitness buddy, I encourage you to get one. Honestly, if it hadn't been for our little "check-ins" in the mornings, I may not have even workout out tonight because I really did not feel like it. Now that I have done it, I feel great!

That is all for now. Until next time loves!!!!

Love, Fashion, and Wellness.

Weight Loss Features

I am looking for some people that have been successful in their weight loss journey to be featured here on the blog. Please comment or send an email if you or someone you know are interested.

Thanks!!!!

Sexy Friday Featuring Lance Gross

This week's feature is a dark chocolate delight! Actor Lance Gross. Enjoy ladies!

Find Your Motivation

Making a change in your life is not always the easiest thing to do. Whether it is getting in shape, starting a new business, starting a new job, or even a new relationship, it all takes work and dedication. If you go into something haphazardly you are going to fail. If you go into something without a plan, you will more than likely fail.

Sometimes, once you get into something (whether it would be any of the situations above) things may go slower that what you hoped and expected. I know that it did for me now that I am coming up on the one year anniversary of opening my shop. But you have to keep going. You have to remember why you started doing whatever it is that you are doing in the first place. I keep pursing my dream of my shop (and the other shop I plan on opening in about a year from now) because when I do start a family, I can have the financial freedom to be home with them. I am moving through my weight loss journey because I want to be around for them and whenever I do get married, I don't want my weight to keep me from my dream dress.

I keep those things in mind when I am working out, deciding on what to eat, and creating new items and sales. The reason that you started your journey will have to keep you motivated. You may even find new reasons along your journey. The show The Biggest Loser is a big motivation for me in my weight loss journey. I cannot watch that show and just sit on my butt. I workout through the first 45 minutes of it at least. Frankly, I don't know how anyone can watch that show and not get up and do something to be healthier. Sometimes during the show's off season I watch old seasons on Netflix.

So stay on your path. Keep going. No matter what nay sayers or even that little evil pixie of yours that is telling you that you can't. Only you can make your dreams come true. Get up and do it. Keep going.

Share your motivational stories!!!!

Until next time loves!!!!

Sexy Friday Featuring Kevin Alejandro

True Blood, Southland, and Weeds are shows that he is known for. His eyes alone have the ability to seduce. I am talking about Mr. Kevin Alejandro. Enjoy the pictures ladies.

















Any feature suggestions ladies???

Good Habits Are Addicting!!

I read a quote that said "Good habits are just as addicting as bad habit but they are much more rewarding". I can honestly say that this is so true!!!

I have been juicing my breakfast for over a week now. If I don't juice in the morning, I don't feel right (now if only I can get like that about exercising)! I was making my breakfast juice every morning and posting what I made on my Facebook page. A cousin of mine said that she would like to juice but she doesn't want to clean the juicer every morning. Initially, I said that cleaning the juicer every morning was worth it to me because I practically knock out all of my fruit and veggie servings all at one time. So, I decided to make a big batch of juice to last me through the week. I am sharing the recipe with you. This juice I am calling the "Everything But The Kitchen Sink Juice". I made up just under 2 gallons of this juice. That should last me until Thursday or Friday!

1 Bag of Kale Greens
1.5 Bags of Spinach
2 Cans of Pineapple (in pineapple juice)
1 Can of Peaches (in light syrup; pour off the syrup and rinse the pears with water twice)
4 Pears
2.5 Cantaloupes
1.25 Heads of Red Cabbage
1.5 Bunches of Radishes
2 Pints of Black Berries
2 lbs of Strawberries
1 Bag of White Grapes
4 Apples
7 Oranges
24 Carrots
2 Papayas
2 Pomegranates
4 Celery Stalks

It took quite some time to juice all of this since my juicer is not very big but it was worth it.

This is a picture of what the juice looks like in the two 1 gallon jugs that I have it in. The color is deceiving because the juice is very good.



What healthy food choices are you making for a healthier you?? Please share!!!

Until next time loves!!!!

Weight Loss Week 1 (Again)!

So, this week I have lost 0.2 lbs. That puts me at 267 even. Any amount of loss is still loss, so I am fine with that. Especially considering that I only really worked out one day enough to really have a good sweat. I did juice most mornings for my breakfast. I went out to eat for lunch with a co-worker a couple of times last week.

Did you know that Burger King has a veggie burger??? It tastes really good and you can get it in a combo. Pair it with some sweet potato fries and YUM!!!! They should really promote the veggie burger more because it is the one thing that they have that none of the other big fast food chains have. I had a chicken sandwich and fries from Wendy too. Once for dinner last week, I had a snack wrap and medium fruit smoothie from McDonald's, which together was less than 500 calories. So that wasn't that bad either. I know that if I had cut that down some my loss may have been more but you have to allow yourself these things. Completely depriving yourself of those is generally what makes people not stick to their diets. You have one stressful day or a tragic event and boom, you eat a whole pack of Oreo cookies. It just has to be all in moderation. You have to be discipline enough to know when to stop and to actually stop!

Another reason why I think that people fail at their diets is because they simply think of it as a diet instead of a lifestyle change. Diets are generally temporary and are for losing 20 pounds or less. If you need to loss 50 pounds or more, you need a lifestyle change, something that you can incorporate into your life to be healthier for life, not just a moment. So, moving forward, I am not dieting. I am changing my life. I am saving my life. I am getting to a better me. I very much encourage you to do the same.

That is all for now. Until next time loves!

Sexy Friday Featuring Jesse Williams

I am a huge Grey's Anatomy Fan. And like many of other Grey's female fans, we have enjoyed the very delicious eye candy that they have given us on Thursday nights for the last few years. Between McDreamy, McSteamy (very sad that he is gone), Karev, and Hunt, oh weee! It is enough to make a girl go to sleep smiling (especially if there are some shirtless scenes). This week's feature is for a name that you may have noticed I left off of the list above, Jesse Williams, otherwise known as Jackson Avery. Think that I am starting to notice that I have a thing for eyes!!! Enjoy ladies! Let me know if you have any feature suggestions!


















Until next time loves!!!!!

Natural Hair Journey Restart

So in one of my early blog post "Finally Accepting My Hair Just The Way It Is and Loving It", I talked about how I came to wearing my hair naturally. We about a month or so ago, I foolishly let my hair get dry and it shed horribly. So I cut all of my hair off again and it is the shortest that it has ever been. Some areas of my hair have become a lot thinner so I was wearing wigs while it fills back in because it looks very splotchy. But I decided to go ahead and got to the barber shop and have them make it look nice and neat.



So I am nursing my hair back to health with a homemade oil blend (Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, and Avocado Seed Oil) and pure Shea Butter. I did some research on each before coming up with my current hair care regimen. You can tweak this however you see fit. I just do mix equal parts of each oil for the oil blend. I also use this oil blend on my skin and it is AWESOME!!!!!

COCONUT OIL
According to an article I found on Yahoo, "coconut oil is able to bind to the natural protein structure of the hair. This helps the hair retain its natural moisture content and reinforces the hair fiber, making it stronger". As with any other oil or non-water based moisturizer, it works best when hair is damp or wet. Coconut oil is also a natural sunscreen.
Coconut Oil http://voices.yahoo.com/the-benefits-coconut-oil-black-hair-care-5388731.html

OLIVE OIL
Olive oil penetrates the hair better than other oils. No matter what oil blend you make, be sure that olive oil is a part of it. The purer the better, so try to get extra virgin olive oil if you can. Olive oil is very nourishing and has wonderful moisturizing benefits. It also prevents dandruff.

SWEET ALMOND OIL
Almond oil is a great source of protein and hair is mostly protein. Almond oils has been noted for its ability to strengthen and grow hair. It also provide an awesome conditioning shine to hair with regular use.

AVOCADO OIL
The avocado has so many benefits. It is filling an nutritous if you are dieting. It also make a great facial/hair mask and a great dip! The oil that comes from an avocado is just as beneficial for your hair and skin. Like the oils mentioned above, avocado oil has wonderful moisturizing capabilities. It also has fatty acids which are great for keeping hair strong and shiny.

All of the oils absorb into hair and skin very well and do not leave an greasy or oily feeling. I have been doing this oil blend for quit some time and my hair and skin have never been softer.

SHEA BUTTER
Shea butter has at least twice the moisturizing capabilities of cocoa butter. Shea butter has been known to grow hair. Shea butter also absorbs quickly and does not clog pores. Like coconut oil and avocado oil, it is a natural sun screen.

Do you have any natural hair care remedies?? I would love to hear about them.

Until next time loves!

Weight Loss Journey Restart

Good morning loves!!!

Who all made the decision to be healthier this year and lose weight? I know that I make this decision every year, multiple times per year. One thing that I have realize about myself over the years is that I always start strong with the workouts but I don't really follow through with the diet. Being a carb junkie, working out would not help me a whole lot if my eating habits didn't change.

So to change that, I got a juicer. Just a $30 one from the department store. Juicing is a great way to get the servings and nutrients of fruits and vegetables in a quick and easy way. Here are some tips when it comes to juicing.

• When it comes to juicing, don't over think it. It is basically a throw together of fruit and veggies. 
• Yes, you need veggies! Try to have a leafy green veggies with each juicing. It makes the juice a funky color but veggies like spinach and kale are light in taste so you will taste more of the fruits than anything.
• Try to go with fresh fruits and veggies. If you want to use canned fruits, try to get one that are in fruit juices and not syrup. If syrup is the only option at your grocer, pour off the syrup and rinse the fruit twice in water. Canned veggies can be used too, just poor off the water and rinse the veggies since most have some salt added to the water to aid in keeping the veggies fresh. Frozen fruits and veggies are great too but you have to let them unthaw before putting them in the juicer, which would be more trouble than it is worth.

So this morning I weighed in at 267.2. My goal is to get down to about 150. And my first juicing recipe was great! I can't think of a name for it so I am just going to give it to you.

2 handfuls of spinach
1 tomato
2 handful of white grapes
1 banana
4 strawberries.

I drunk it all while typing this so sorry, I don't have a picture!

Have a protein like egg whites and some whole wheat toast with it and you have a very healthy breakfast!

Let me know what you think and share your juicing recipes!!!!

Until next time loves!!!!

Sexy Friday Feature: William Levy

TGIF!!!! If you watched Dancing With The Stars two seasons ago, you know all about the very yummy William Levy. He is a sinful bowl of Latin sugar! Have fun looking ladies!

Until next time loves!!!

Workout Challenge - January - Squats

Okay. Here is a workout challenge that I saw online last month and did not do. Starting today, do as many squats as you possibly can without stopping, in good form. Tomorrow, do add five squats on to what you did the day before. Then the next day, you add five more to what you did the day before that. Each day, you go up by five squats. If you do this every day, you will be able to do 150 more squats than what you did on day one!

I will do monthly challenges like this from now on. I chose to start with squats because they work the larger muscle groups of the body and because they are larger, they burn more calories and working the arms or the abs. I will do updates on these throughout the month. Oh, and these challenges are to be done in ADDITION to your regular workout routine!!! NO CHEATING!!!!

Be sure to march in place for a couple of minutes to warm up your muscles before getting started.

Below is a video of how to properly do squats.

So I am starting out with 27 squats. So you get to squatting and post your starting number in the comments.

Until next time loves!